Related Topics

Environmental Health Division

Children's Environmental Health

Children's environmental health is an important concern to the Minnesota
Department of Health (MDH). We are increasing focus and attention on children
and working in partnership with other agencies and organizations to protect
children from exposures to harmful chemicals and other environmental health
hazards.

Children may be more exposed and more vulnerable to hazards in the environment.
Pound for pound, kids breathe more air, drink more fluids, and eat more
food than do adults. Kids are also developing, so they may be more vulnerable
to exposures than adults. The MDH houses many programs with a special
emphasis on children. A few of these programs are:

Lead poisoning prevention

Fish advisories for pregnant women and children

Assessing risks to children from sites with hazardous waste

Healthy school environments

Food safety for youth

For more information on these programs and other MDH programs focusing
on children's environmental health, visit MDH
Initiatives.